Has parenting changed?

Personal experience and early thoughts:

Another weird view if you ask me. But this thought has come to mind numerous times. As someone born in 92' I do feel like I can speak on the parenting subject a bit. Not only being born in that year, but having 2 of my own children that are now teenagers with one being a freshman this year. It makes me take a look back. And though I did have a rough childhood and didn't have great or relatively good parenting in general. Which I am stating this for a specific reason. 

I will say though that I have experienced regular disciplinary actions; but also around friends whose parents that were generally better parents than mines. I know you maybe thinking, why do I bring that up. Well let's just say my parents weren't the best role models. Though I am where I am today partially to them and learning from their mistakes. I will say that there were times that I needed to be disciplined and they took the right route on how they did it. Yet, the reason for this post is because the more I think about back when I was growing up and how it is now. It honestly feels like a full one-eighty. 

Social media and people sharing their childhood:

Social media has it's pros and cons. I will say that it has opened eyes to everyone on this particular topic. Everyone seems to have a different experience when they talk about how they were raised; how their parents actually parented. Still, one common denominator for those of the 90's and even older share the same sentiment. That there feels to have been more discipline and respect taught by parents then versus now. Yes, there is a time and place for being nice and even possibly be somewhat a friend to your child. But it seems like children born from mid 2000's and up have a different way of being. 

No, I'm not saying that everyone was raised well in the 90's and even earlier. Because evil people exist and bad people are just that, bad. However, when I look at things in a microscopic level I see so much more negatives than positives. It is common for people my age to truly try and make sure they are not raising their children the way our parents did. Whether our feelings of our childhood has truly corrupted our parenting. Or whether we have read plenty of books that claim a certain way is to raise every child, and putting that into practice because we think that is the way to go. 

The eye test:

The truth of the matter is that from the eye test, these children today in my personal opinion are just out of whack. You have kids screaming and hitting their parents; to young adults not respecting their elders at all, school shootings becoming almost a norm. And I'm saying this from the perspective of a person that didn't grow up in a great neighborhood. I was born and raised in North Philly(Philadelphia). I didn't go to a good school, the drop out rate was higher than the graduation rate. And sadly I was part of that statistic. 

So, when I'm looking at kids today, and even young adults. I think about how my parents, though not the best role models, and not the best examples to truly follow. They did make sure that certain things were kept in line. Respect was taught, not only respecting your parents and elders. But also everyone else unless they disrespected you. Which, from what I've seen on social media and even out and about. Respect has been the thing missing in parenting. See, my son and my daughter understand what respect is. I made sure to take my time on that specifically. 

World of consequences:

We live in a world of consequences. And the world doesn't care about correcting your children the right way. One thing I've learned from seeing things in person as well as online is that people do correct other people in most cases the most un-humbling way. What do I mean about that? Let's just make it simple here... death. See, the truth is this; if we don't teach our children to respect things and people what are the possible outcomes? 1. Death, people take other people's lives for sometimes the stupidest reason. If we can teach our kids respect maybe we give them an actual chance. 2. Major accidents, another thing that can be respected and should be respected are the tools and things we use everyday. Driving a vehicle can truly be dangerous. Respecting the purpose of it and the reason we use it can help limit major accidents and accidents that can leave families in pieces. 

There are more than likely more reasons, but at least at this moment I can't think of them. Yet, I would dare to say that there are many people that may agree with me with this sentiment. But for those that do disagree with me let's just say we can agree to disagree. I do believe the reason for a lot of these things happening is because of a lack of discipline. Some may say that whipping isn't necessary. To those I will say this simply. Not all kids are the same and some do need to be physically disciplined. Now, if your thinking that is abuse let me clarify something really quick. Abuse and physical discipline are two different things. Abuse is if you're doing it all the time with no rhyme or reason. Or you are doing it out of anger and so on. 

The right way:

But the right way to do it is when you have attempted all the things you can. But there has been no change or positive outcome. I understand this perfectly, and it is the right way to make sure that your child is taught to respect you and others. But not only that, it is also teaching them that there are consequences to their actions. Again if we as the parents don't do it, the world will and the world isn't the nicest place we should all know this. With all this said, do I think parenting has changed? I personally do, and I honestly don't think for the better. If you think differently tell me why in the comments. Also keep in mind to keep it respectful and it's okay. We can agree to disagree. 

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